Steering-gear antirattler



E. L. SLOAN.

STEERING GEAR ANTIRATTLER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT- 16. I921.

Patented Sept. 26, 1922.

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Elmer L. Sloan areas Sept. as, was.

PATET QFFICE.

ELIVIER L. fiLOAN', OF J'OPLIN, MISSOURI.

STEERING-GEAR ANTIRATTLER,

Application filed September 16, 1921. Serial No. 501,150.

provements in Steering-Gear Antirattlers, of which the following is a specification,

reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to attachments for motor vehicles and has for its object the provision of a spring device adapted to be engaged upon the steering spindle arm and also engaged with the associated end of the steering arm connecting rod for the purpose of preventing rattling of these parts when the usual bushings become worn and permit play.

An important object is the provision of a device of this character which is formed from a single length of spring wire and which is so constructed that it may be properly engaged with the parts to be prevented from rattling without any necessity for the employment of tools and without requiring any alterations whatever in the existing structure.

An additional object is the provision of a device of this character which will be very simple and inexpensive in manufacture, easy to apply, efficient in action, durable in service and a general improvement in the art.

With the above and other objects and advantages in view, the invention consists in the details of construction to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my device associated with a steering spindle arm and. connecting rod; and

Figure 2 is perspective view of my device alone.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the letter A designates a steering arm which extends from the ordinary spindle body which is pivoted at the ends of the front axle of an automobile, and B designates the forked yoke which is carried by each end of the rod C which connects the arms A. This connection is efl'ected by means of a spindle bolt D which passes through the bushing which is generally associated with the steering arm. After any extended use such bushings invariably become greatly worii and permit a considerable play which naturally results in a very objectionable rattling.

In order to overcome this objection I make use of a tension device which comprlses a spring member which is formed from a single length of wire 10 which is bent or coiled partly upon itself, as shown at 11, to define a relatively long arm 12. From the coil 11 the wire is bent to extend at an angle to define an inclined arm 13 which has its intermediate portion bent at 1-1 to define a second inclined arm 15 which extends at substantially right angles to the the hook 17 is engaged upon the steering arm A with the inclined arm 15 extending across the top of the steering arm, with the arm 13 extending across the bottom of the steering arm and with the coil 11 disposed against the inner edge of the steering arm. hen the device is thus applied it will be apparent that the hook 17 cannot become disengaged accidentally from the steering arm and that the arm 12 cannot slip out of the fork in the yoke. The arm 12 of course exerts a strong downward pressure against the upper side of the lower portion of the yoke and will naturally result in preventing relative up and down movement, or in fact any improper movement of the yoke with respect to the steering arm so that all rattling will be positively prevented.

From the foregoing description and a study of the drawings it will be apparent that I have thus provided a very simple spring tension device which will efi'iciently operate to hold the steering rod of an automobile associated. with the steering spindle arms so as to prevent play, the device being naturally constructed in rights and leftsforuse at different sides of the vehicle or at different ends of the connecting rod. It is also to be noted that the device may be applied merely by the fingers, no tools being necessary for either placing the device in position or removing it in case such should be desired for any reason.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is of course to be readily understood that I reserve the right to make such changes :in the form, construction and arrangement of parts as will not depart from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. Means for preventing rattling at the point of connection of the steering spindle arm with the steering arm connecting rod yoke oi a motor vehicle coii lprising a spring member formed from a single length of resilient Wire coiled intermediate its ends to define a relatively long arm engageable against the upper side of the lower portion of the connecting rod yoke, said coil being disposed against one edge of the steering spindle arm, said Wire member being bent to define an arm extending from said coil diagonally across the under side of the steering arm and further bent to definea second inclined arm extending diagonally across the top of the steering arm and terminating in a hook engaging upon the edge thereof.

52'. Means tor preventing rattling at the point of connection of the steering spindle arm with the steering arm connecting rod yoke of a motor vehicle comprising a spring member 'lorn'ied from a single length ol resilient wire bent intermediate its ends to define an arm engageable against the connecting rod yoke and disposed against one edge oi the steering spindle arm, said Wire member being further bent to define augularly disposed arms one of which extends from said ('Oil, and which arms engage opposite sides of the steeringarm, the other of said arm terminating in a hook engaging upon the edge of the steering arm.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aiiix my signature.

' ELMER L. SLOAN. 

